Why has the option of a community site at Strathcona come forward at such a late stage in the negotiations?
The Strathcona site could not be pursued due to existing mining claims and leases along the south shore of the Northeast arm. The land cannot become a reserve with these in place. It was only in the Fall that it became possible for Ontario to acquire sufficient existing mineral interests to allow us to consider a Strathcona option. Negotiators decided it was better to examine the site and compare it to Shiningwood Bay, than to simply ignore the option on the grounds that it was too late in the process.
